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In this episode of Elevathers, we're diving into the future of journalism, the creator economy, personal branding, and how media is evolving in the age of influencers and social media. We kick things off with a nostalgic conversation about the possible return of MySpace, why internet culture used to feel more personal, and whether nostalgia is holding us back from embracing what's next.

Then we tackle one of today's biggest debates: Is journalism dying? We break down the differences between a journalist, influencer, content creator, and internet personality, and discuss how social media has changed the way we consume news. We explore why being first often outweighs being accurate, how misinformation spreads online, and why media literacy, fact-checking, and credible reporting matter more than ever.

If you're an aspiring journalist, TV host, reporter, podcast host, or content creator, this episode offers practical career advice on navigating today's media industry. We discuss the realities of entertainment journalism, building a personal brand, creating opportunities for yourself, developing on-camera skills, and why adaptability is one of the most valuable career assets in today's digital landscape.

Whether you're passionate about journalism, social media, influencer marketing, personal branding, podcasting, or building a career in media, this episode is packed with honest conversations, industry insights, and actionable takeaways to help you stay ahead in a rapidly changing world.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and share it with someone who's passionate about media, journalism, or content creation.

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In this episode, we dive into the rise of women owning their narrative through authenticity, confidence, and intentional personal branding. Whether you're an entrepreneur, content creator, corporate professional, or building your next chapter, this conversation is packed with practical strategies to help you grow your career, increase your visibility, and define success beyond traditional expectations.

We discuss:

• Why women need to stop waiting for permission and start before they feel ready
• How access to resources, mentorship, and strong teams impacts podcast growth, business success, and the gender pay gap
• Why your support through downloads, reviews, shares, comments, and subscriptions directly impacts independent creators
• Redefining success through freedom, peace, flexibility, and financial independence—not just income
• How to build a personal brand rooted in authenticity instead of chasing social media trends
• Navigating criticism, visibility, and public scrutiny without losing your voice
• Creating three to four clear brand pillars that make you memorable and attract opportunities
• Using AI tools and Pinterest to spark creativity, organize ideas, and strengthen your content strategy
• Smart financial strategies for building your business while maintaining stability
• Why progress beats perfection—and how waiting for the "perfect time" can cost you opportunities

If you're passionate about entrepreneurship, leadership, career development, personal growth, women's empowerment, the creator economy, or building a life aligned with your purpose, this episode is for you.

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, leave a five-star review, and share this episode with a friend. Your downloads, ratings, reviews, and shares help us reach more women and continue creating conversations that inspire growth, confidence, and success.

This version is optimized to rank for searches related to personal branding, entrepreneurship, women in business, career advice, confidence, self-improvement, creator economy, leadership, business growth, AI, and personal development while still reading naturally to listeners.

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“Low maintenance” gets applauded like it’s a flex, but we’ve learned it can come with a real price tag, just not always on a receipt. We’re Amanda Booz and Crystal Baka, and we’re getting honest about how presentation becomes currency: the way you show up affects respect, confidence, service, and even the opportunities that find you.

We warm up with some summer joy and a quick unfiltered moment on celebrity life, from Cardi B’s latest drama to why public attention can turn normal dating into a headline. That leads straight into the bigger point: living like you “don’t require much” can slip into complacency, and complacency is expensive. We talk pretty privilege, but we expand it into presentation privilege, because effort, consistency, and self-care move the needle more than people admit.

Then we get practical. If you only had $300 a month to invest in yourself, what has the highest return: nails, skincare, hair, brows, or wardrobe? We share budget-friendly ways to look elevated without chasing luxury, including steaming and ironing, keeping shoes clean, building simple signature looks, tailoring for perfect fit, and even finding a good cobbler so your best shoes last years. We close with red flags and green flags that reveal where you’re playing small, plus a challenge question to help you dress for the life you’re trying to create.

Subscribe for more weekly elevation, share this with a friend who needs a confidence reset, and leave us a review with the standard you’re raising next.

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If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “Do we even need each other anymore?” you’re not alone and we’re not sugarcoating it. Amanda Booz and Crystal Vega dig into the question behind so many modern relationships: when women don’t need men financially and men don’t need women for traditional roles, what’s the point of partnership now? The answer isn’t in outdated rules or social media hot takes. It’s in peace, emotional safety, shared purpose, and whether both people are willing to do the internal work. 

Before we go deep, we warm up with some real-life 30s talk, including what’s actually worth spending money on right now, from health screenings and supplements to Invisalign, TSA PreCheck, bamboo sheets, and the never-ending debate over car packages. We also share a practical negotiating tip for anyone tired of hidden dealership fees and inflated add-ons. 

Then we get to the heart of it: shifting gender roles, emotional labor, and why “doing too much” can quietly train a relationship into imbalance. We talk about the girlfriend package versus the wife package, why you should stop playing house while dating, and why being your partner’s planner, parent, or therapist kills attraction and burns you out. We also challenge the idea of “high value” and ask what it looks like when both partners bring ambition, emotional intelligence, and real effort to the table. 

If you’re redefining love, boundaries, and what you want in dating in your 30s, this conversation will hit. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review with your answer: what does peace in partnership look like for you?

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Someone can feel like your exact match and still be the wrong person to let in. We start with a real weekly reset conversation: the post-vacation bounce back, getting back in the gym, meal prepping without burning out, and how small routines like planning outfits or setting out workout clothes can protect your time, money, and energy. If you’re trying to stay consistent with health and wellness goals, productivity, and a calmer schedule, this is the kind of preparation that turns a messy week into a manageable one.

From there, we get into the bigger topic: chameleon people. We break down what it looks like when someone mirrors your interests to gain access to your life, why it can feel like “alignment,” and how it often shows up in adult friendships, the workplace, and dating. We talk about takers vs givers, why oversharing too early can backfire, and how intensity at the beginning can be a warning sign, not a compliment.

We also share a real story of a new friendship that looked promising until the mask slipped, plus practical tips for discernment: watch consistency over time, make space for differences, and listen more than you talk early on, especially when you’re dating. If you’re meeting new people this summer, consider this your reminder that peace is a priority. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest chameleon red flag.

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We trade summer travel updates and get real about what major festivals look like when you are actually trying to build relationships and land brand work. From Cannes to Essence Fest, we share what surprised us, what felt worth it, and what we are leaving behind as we head deeper into Q3. 
• what Cannes is for creators and entrepreneurs versus pure spectators 
• why access is layered and meetings need to be set in advance 
• how networking happens socially in hotels and restaurants 
• why you need a clear offer and not just a desire for brand deals 
• hobbies as a practical tool for building real connections 
• why showing up everywhere can dilute your personal brand 
• Essence Fest recap including concerts, hosting, and being selective 
• how shrinking sponsorship budgets and the DEI pullback affect festivals 
• a New Orleans airport story about kindness and community 
Make sure you like, comment, subscribe, talk to us on SpeakPipe. Please like, comment, and also give our podcast a rating. 

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Ruining your reputation sounds reckless until you realise how many of your choices are being made for an audience that is not even watching. We get honest about the invisible pressure to stay “on brand,” stay likable, stay polished, and stay available, and how that pressure can make you overthink yourself into a smaller life. 

We break down the difference between your professional reputation (protect it) and your personal reputation (stop letting it run your day). From the myth of perfectionism to the trap of being the dependable person everyone leans on, we talk boundaries, bandwidth, and why saying “no” can be an act of self-respect. We also dig into how social media amplifies fear of judgment, why “brand safe” thinking can block blessings, and why you cannot be successful and universally liked. 

Then we share uncommon decisions that changed our lives, like walking away from a corporate job during uncertainty and choosing community college as a smarter, less debt-heavy path. If you have been tiptoeing around what you really want, this conversation will help you choose peace over image and take the risk with a clear mind. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs the push, and leave a review telling us what label you are ready to drop.

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Your vacation can be fun and still feel like you. We’re sharing the real habits we use to stay grounded while traveling so we come home energized instead of depleted, broke, and scrambling to “get back on track.” If summer travel usually knocks your routine out, this conversation is your reset.

We get into the practical wellness travel tips that make the biggest difference: keeping your “before the world demands me” routine, moving your body without turning the trip into a fitness bootcamp, and protecting your mornings from social media comparison. We also talk about the underrated stuff that keeps your mind calm like resetting your room, having a fast 10 minute getting ready routine, and building in white space on group trips so you can wander, breathe, and even take a nap without guilt.

Then we talk money and moderation, because staying grounded also means staying out of the “vacation Olympics.” We share how we avoid last minute shopping, remix outfits, pack smarter, and keep toiletries ready so we’re not spending twice for the same trip. We also touch on drinking in moderation so you can actually remember your vacation and keep your energy and glow the next day.

If you’re traveling this summer and want to enjoy it without losing yourself, press play. Subscribe to Elevators Podcast, share this with a friend who’s always on a plane, and leave us a review so more listeners can find the show.

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Miami was doing what Miami does best: stacking major weeks on top of each other. Between Miami Swim Week activations and the American Black Film Festival closeouts, we were outside, on our feet, and paying the price the next day, including Amanda’s voice getting taken out by secondhand smoke. That “city never sleeps” pace is fun until it isn’t, and it’s the perfect lead-in to the bigger theme we can’t ignore lately: culture moves fast, and if you create something, the internet can run off with it even faster.

We shift into the viral debate around Patrick Ta, Painted By Esther, and the question of who gets to trademark a trend, especially in beauty. We talk about why attribution matters, why “I was inspired by” hits different than “I own this,” and how a trademark or IP claim changes the stakes from vibes to finances. If you’re a creator, makeup artist, or brand builder watching your work get mimicked, this conversation is about more than drama, it’s about leverage and getting paid.

From there we go practical: what protecting your intellectual property can look like, why trademarks can be tedious and slow, and how real-world examples like the Uggs naming story show what happens when ownership and public recognition split. We also speak directly to corporate creatives and interns navigating work-for-hire, where your best idea can become “company property” unless you move carefully. The goal isn’t paranoia, it’s clarity: protect what’s truly valuable, learn the business side, and don’t operate from scarcity because one good idea usually means you’ve got many more.

If you enjoy these unfiltered breakdowns of culture, business, and creator rights, subscribe, share this with a friend who’s building something, and leave us a review so more people can find Elevators.

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We bounce from pop culture chaos to real-life lessons, unpacking how hype, power, and money influence what people buy and what stories people believe. We keep it honest with our own not-so-elevated moments, then pull out the practical rules that help us move smarter in dating, work, and friendships. 
• reactions to the AP x Swatch collaboration and why some luxury collabs feel tacky 
• camping out, resale flipping and asking if the juice is worth the squeeze 
• Drake’s album run as business strategy and what contract leverage can look like 
• why credentials matter online and how to fact-check in an AI misinformation era 
• unserious date stories and the boundaries we wish we set sooner 
• “fly yourself out” culture and what we refuse to do for men 
• career cringe moments that taught us to stay ready for opportunities 
• harassment and disrespect toward women in media and why teams must speak up 
• girls’ trip money rules, splitting rooms and simplifying group payments 
• “luxury” purchases we regret and what we would do differently now 
If you guys have questions that you would love us to answer or funny things, because I'm like, there's so many more that we could even touch on. I would love for us to do this again. So you guys tap in the comments, hit us on Speakpipe, send us a message, voice, a voiceover, whatever it is that you want to send us to let us know what you guys want us to talk about to get to know us more. 
If you guys like this episode, like it, comment, subscribe, share, and all the things.

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